Some 2012 quality of life bond projects face delays, but others such as the ones that will bring the El Paso Public Library branches up to date are proceeding citywide.

Construction at the Irving Schwartz Branch Library on Dean Martin Drive on the East Side has been underway since December and is more than halfway completed, said project manager Daniel Garcia.

Garcia said there have been minor delays that go along with most construction projects, but the reopening scheduled for April should be on schedule.

The Irving Schwartz branch and Richard Burges Branch Library on Dyer Street in the Northeast are both slated for major renovations through the quality of life bond funds. The Schwartz branch has a $2.1 million budget and the Burges branch has a $1.4 million budget, according to the city of El Paso Capital Improvement Program Quarterly Report for the spring.

Library Director Dionne Mack said that the purchasing of library materials for branches is ongoing, but other projects have been completed, such as updating the Bookmobile fleet.

Mack said the previous Bookmobile, about the length of a school bus, was replaced by two smaller, more fuel efficient models.

The new Bookmobiles are Farber Specialty Vehicles that allow for more accessibility because of their size — about two-thirds the length of a school bus — and allow for more outreach.

Each bus has Wi-Fi, about 1,500 books, Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility, rollaway book carts, canopies and the driver can issue library cards. The driver can also order books or materials that are not in stock and have them available the next time the Bookmobile is scheduled to go to the spot where it was requested.

Mack said the new fleet has been able to increase stops to areas including parks and schools by about 29 percent since the project was completed in July.

While construction continues at Irving Schwartz, one of the Bookmobiles and the Techmobile — a mobile computer training center the library acquired in 2011 — have been making regular appearances there to keep services available to the branch users.

“It’s been really good to have continuity of services,” Mack said.

Mack said the branch was chosen to be among the first to get an expansion from bond funds because it was among the smallest.

“It was built in 1991 and hadn’t had any improvements and (was) really limited in size and in its layout,” she said.

The project includes expanding the facility by 5,000 square feet. When completed, the branch will reopen at 15,000 square feet along with designated areas for quiet spaces, classes, collaborative learning spaces, children’s activities and a community meeting space.

Garcia said only about one fourth of the original building remains.

“We gutted out the ceilings; there will be higher ceilings and more natural light,” Garcia said. “The initial building was closed and congested.”

The Burges branch will also be expanded and will also get designated areas for a technology lab, meeting rooms, quiet spaces and a Friends of the Library bookstore.

The project is currently in the design phase.

Mack said once both the expansions are complete, other branches will also be considered and recommended for renovations.

The city’s quarterly report also lists funding allocated for the 10 remaining branches. Those are under the less than 5 percent progress category.